How Do Christians Respond to Politics?

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DAY 5 | How Do Christians Respond to Politics?

  1. Some will go to war. Prepare for battle, march in the parades, picket lines or protests, and fight the system, while others fight to get our country back to a moral majority, and elect candidates hoping to save our country. Christians are on all sides and can’t really find unity here either. They are often left feeling frustrated, not seeing their dreams and aspirations realized.
  2. Some surrender for peace. Some give up from battle fatigue, tired of the tensions. They dodge out of the discussions, the avoid the issues, and shut down the conversations, turn off the TV, stop looking at any news, and may resign and bow out due to battle fatigue.
  3. Some head for the hills. Some are getting ready for the end of the world; they buy generators, build bunkers, maybe even reading up on what it looks like to join or form a militia. They buy a bunch of guns, grab their Bible, and head for the hills.
  4. Some go on mission. These Christians have taken up a new mission, not win America to Christ, but win Americans to Christ. They have accepted they are the minority in our country; they realize to be Christian isn’t popular anymore.

CHRISTENDOM AND CHRISTIANITY

They’ve realized that Christendom is dead, and yet Christianity is alive. Christendom has been around some 500 years, and the United States has kind of been the case study, the formation of a nation on Christian principles, and the hopes and dreams of living as one nation under God, yet no one really knows who God is!

Christianity isn’t cool!  Have you noticed? This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There’s a difference between cultural Christians and real Christians. Real Christians worship God, they love Jesus, they read their Bibles, go to church, and often serve and give to the church! They live out their faith!!!!  According to some research that’s only 8% of our country. Christians who choose to live their faith in today’s times have had to accept that they are missionaries. They understand their calling more clearly. 

They Live as Sojourners | 1 Peter 2:11–12

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 

They Don’t Conform to the World | Romans 12:2

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

They Live as Sent People in the World | John 17:16-18

“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

They Live as Witnesses in the World | Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

WHAT IS THE GOAL FOR THE CHRISTIAN IN OUR COUNTRY?

The goal for the Christian isn’t to win a country but win its citizens. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t vote our values, this doesn’t mean we should stay out of politics; rather, it means that we must clarify our objectives and accept our reality. There is one King, whose rule will never end. He will one day restore a weary world. His name is Jesus, and he’s more powerful than a politician or any president, greater than government; his Kingdom is superior to our country. And to that Kingdom, we are called first and foremost to be ambassadors for. Our mission isn’t to convert a country, but its citizens; not through politics, but through personal witness. By and large, the greatest influence Christians have is their witness, how they live out their faith, and today that faith tested more than ever. 

THE SPECIAL CALLING OF SOME CHRISTIANS

As Christians, some will be called what I call into the “Robes of Society” that are directly influencing the American culture of our country.  The robes of society are those that wear “robes”, such as teachers at local schools on graduations, or pastors, preachers, and priests in religious ceremonies, professors in the universities, politicians, or judges, etc. Some Christians will be in these roles; they are called by God to go with this special calling to help navigate a blurry line between church and state and will have to live under a higher level of stress due to their role and responsibility, and must realize their work is a calling unto God and will serve as incredible cultural influencers for future generations. Good or bad, they play a critical role in our country.

FOR THE MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS

For the majority of Christians, it’s not that kind of calling. It’s a much simpler approach. It’s a life that God calls the Christian to, to love God and neighbor, work hard, and love and lead the family. As the Apostle Paul once said, “Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

Every Christian should seek to share and show the love of Christ in any role they have. In today’s world, it should come as no surprise that being a Christian will likely be harder in the years to come, and this should not be a shock; suffering and trials are all part of the Christian life. As we close, let’s be reminded of God’s encouraging word in hard times. 

The Apostle Peter writes:

But rejoice insofar as you share Christs sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:13–14)